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“You said that. I get that you see the worst in people, but I like to look for the good.”
“You’re too trusting. It makes you vulnerable.”
That word speared my heart, hitting a deep part of me, one I’d worked hard to cover over the years. “I’m not weak.”
You couldn’t have gone through what my sister and I had, and not come out stronger because of it.
He nodded, his voice filled with respect. “I admire the hell out of you and Delilah.”
Would every conversation with Colton always revolve around my sister, even though they’d been apart for years, and she’d moved to Virginia to work as a veterinarian? “Then you know I can handle myself.”
His lips pursed, but he didn’t argue with me. “I’d feel better if I knew you were safe.”
I rested my hands on my hips. “Why? Because you dated my sister ten years ago?”
He shifted on his feet, then looked away from me. “Yes. No. Maybe.”
“I’m all grown up. I don’t need you to look after me, and I certainly don’t need your protection.” Not unless he was interested in me.
His gaze scanned me from head to toe, leisurely assessing. “I know.”
Heat followed the weight of his gaze.
My irritation faded away to something far more dangerous: desire.
“Call if you have any more trouble. You have my number.”
I hadn’t used it in years. I’d called him a couple of times to pick me up from parties when I was young and wild. Back then, I’d wanted his attention. It was childish and immature. I knew even then that nothing could happen. Being interested in your sister’s boyfriend was wrong. But I couldn’t help pushing his buttons. Because where he was straitlaced and black and white, I was wild and in color. We didn’t make sense together on any level. No matter how much my heart wanted him to notice me.
Chapter Two
COLTON
When I got the call that there was a break-in at Remi’s Juice Shop, my heart raced out of control. I was worried for her. There’d always been something about Delilah’s younger sister, Remi, that got to me. I’ve always been protective of her, but there was an awareness there, too. Something I didn’t want to examine too closely.
Remi was bubbly and happy. Everything I wasn’t. It was irritating, yet I was drawn to her light. I wanted to understand how she could be so positive after she’d grown up in and out of the foster care system. Delilah was quieter and more reserved and almost never spoke about that time in their lives, content to be adopted by their foster parents.
Remi seemingly adjusted to their new home and parents, and my sense was Delilah was relieved to turn over the responsibility to their adoptive parents. Remi was happy-go-lucky but somewhat flighty.
As an adult, I worried not much had changed. I was continually giving her parking tickets for parking in no-parking zones. None of it seemed to faze her, at least not enough to change her parking habits. It made me worry for her safety, especially if someone was targeting her store. First with graffiti and now the break-in.
When we’d discussed the graffiti on her building, Remi had said it was art. She seemed to pull the positive out of any situation, even when we were kids. Someone had broken into her store, and I knew how desperation could affect someone. I didn’t want Remi to be one of the casualties.
Pushing open the door to Max’s Bar & Grill, I scanned the bar to see my friend’s familiar face behind it. He was talking to the redhead, Mallory, who managed the place when he wasn’t there.
“Hey, Colton,” Mallory greeted me when I approached.
I’d been stopping by in the evening more often since their break-in.
Max must have caught the expression on my face because he asked, “You want to talk in my office?”
I nodded and followed him. Closing the door behind us, Max took a seat behind his desk.
“Remi’s Juice Shop was broken into yesterday. We’re not sure of the timing because she didn’t have an alarm system.”
My irritation must have been evident in my tone because Max said, “She putting one in?”
“She said she was.” I’d be checking in to make sure. I remember Delilah mentioning that Remi tended to get sidetracked. When I’d get irritated that we were waiting on her or she was late for something, Delilah would say that Remi meant well.
